The school of thought that finesse pitchers scuffle in spring training more than power pitchers do is sound. Mastering the touch and feel needed to effectively throw a breaking pitch takes more time than getting in condition to rear back and fire a fastball.

So Dan Haren can find some encouragement in that. After his spring, he needs a lift.

Dan Haren's spring ERA rose Tuesday as he allowed five runs in six innings. (AP Photo)

Haren, the Washington Nationals’ No. 4 starter, gave up four home runs in six innings Tuesday against the Miami Marlins, and only two were hit by Giancarlo Stanton. Fringe players Chris Coghlan and Chris Valaika accounted for the others.

The lackluster outing followed a recent start that was so unimpressive, manager Davey Johnson, 70, joked that he was ready to get his bat. For the spring, Haren’s ERA is 6.39 and he has allowed 30 hits in 25 1/3 innings.

If he is concerned, he isn’t saying. “Once the lights turn on, it’s a different story,” he told reporters Tuesday.

Haren signed a one-year, $13 million deal in the offseason to take what was Edwin Jackson’s spot in the rotation last year. Jackson went his typical 10-11 with a 4.03 ERA. Haren was 12-13 with a 4.33 for the Los Angeles Angels while dealing with hip and back ailments.

The good news for Haren and the Nats is that Haren hasn’t reported any injuries this spring.

While he’s still seeking his groove on the mound, Haren has fit in comfortably in the clubhouse. The laid-back Southern Californian didn't need long to figure out his place in Washington’s rotation.

Asked earlier this month what he had learned in his short time with the club, Haren proved to be a quick study. His replies:

— “Well, for the first time, I’m the oldest,” said the 32-year-old right-hander. Not by a little, either. Haren has five years on Gio Gonzalez, the second-oldest Nationals starter. Ross Detwiler just turned 27, Jordan Zimmermann turns 27 in May and Stephen Strasburg will be 25 in July.

— “I throw, by far, the slowest,” he added. Haren’s fastball last year averaged a career-low 88.5 mph, which was just a tick slower than Strasburg’s changeup, according to fangraphs.com.

— Lastly, he said, “I’m the second-best hitting pitcher.” This is no small concession for a guy who hit .364 in 2010, his most recent reason in the National League. But before pitchers started hitting in exhibitions, he already was convinced that Strasburg is better.